Step-operated treadle switch



NOV. 26, 1929. CONKLIN 1,737,409

STOP OPERATED TREADLE SWITCH Filed May 12, 1928 Patented Nov. 26, 1929 ROSCOE D. CONKLIN, 0F RAHWAY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR' To NATIONAL PHEUMATIC COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, 33. Y., A COEPGRATEON OF WEST "VIRGINIA STEP-OPERATED TREADLE SWITCH Application filed May 12, 1928.

This invention relates in general to treadle and step operated switch-es used on vehicles.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of means for operating the treadle switch employed on vehicles in which the doors are I treadle controlled by means of mechanism under the influence of the vehicle step. 7

A still further object of this invention is to eliminate the necessity of the conventional step switch which heretofore has been wired in parallel to the treadle switch of the vehicle.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of mechanismarranged so that when a person steps on the treadle of a vehicle equipped therewith to open the doors the door opening circuit is maintained when the person steps onto the step.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of mechanism of the above type which is very simple in construction and adapted for economical manufacture and rapid assemblage.

These and other objects are secured by means of this invention. I

This invention resides substantially in the combination, construction, arrangement, and relative location of parts, all as will more fully appear hereinafter. Y

Referring tothe drawings, the single figure represents a side elevational' view with some parts in cross section showing the combination of elements comprising this invention.

There is known at the present time in this art mechanism whereby the doors of a vehicle may be operated by means of a treadle plate mounted in the platform of the vehicle adj acent the door. This principle of door operation has been applied to all kinds of vehicles, such as street cars, railway oars, elevated cars, subway cars, and buses. The principle of operation in apparatus of this type is to pro-' vide a treadle plate pivotally mounted in the platform of the vehicle adj acent the doors to be controlled, which treadle plate when depressed by a passenger operates a switch which controls the motor to cause the doorto open.

Heretofore in mechanism. of this type it Serial No. 277,148.

has been necessary to provide a second switch under the control of the step which is pivot ally mounted to fold and unfold so that a passenge' when stepping from the treadle.

onto the step will maintain a second switch closed so as to keep the doors open until the passageway is completely cleared of passengers. When the treadle and step are clear the switches open and the door operating mechanism reverses closing the doors.

The object of this invention is to eliminate the step operated switch and substitute therefor a mechanical mechanism. which controls the switch'on the treadle directly.

To more fully understand the invention reference isnow made to the drawings in.

the action of a spring (not shown) or other suitable device. The door shaft which extends vertlcally and is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis in the usual well known manner is shown at 5 supporting one section 6 of a door." This invention is, of course,- adapted to be used on double folding doors and, in fact, any type offswinging door-or sliding door. 5

Mounted under the treadle plate is a casing 7 within which is mounted. the switch which is adapted to beclosed when the treadle is depressed. The switch is of the push button type having, as shown at 8, a push button extending from the casing 7. Supported directly under the push button on the plat form or other fixed support is aplate 9 against which the push button 8 contacts when the treadle is. depressed. A collar 10 is mounted under the plate 9 and is provided with an opening extending therethrongh in" alignment with an opening in the plate. EX- tending vertically through the opening is a rod 11 which is pivotally supported at its lower end at 13 on the lever 12'. At 14: is

shown a horizontal rotatable shaft which is step from moving past a horizontal position as it swings outwardly in a clockwise direction as it opens. Secured to the shaft 14 is a short arm adapted to rotate with it and provided at its outer end with an adj ust-able set screw 21, which set screw is adapted to contact with the arm 22 which is attached to the arm 12. A stop 28 suitably attached to a fixed support is shown for r limiting the downward movement of the lever 12.

The operation of the device follows: WVhen a passenger wishes to alight from the car he approaches the door 6 and as a result steps onto the treadle 3 causing its outer righthand end to rotate outwardly on the pivot rod 4. This causes the push button 8 to contact with the plate 9 closinga circuit connect-ed to the switch in casing 7 which controls the mechanism for operating the door. In the usual practice this circuit. is interconnected with the motormans control so that the door is not opened until the vehicle comes to a stop. The closing of the switch on the treadle causes the door to open. As

is the usual practice, the mechanism for operating the doors is interconnected with the shaft 14 to cause the step to unfold at the same time and as the passenger steps from the treadle onto the step the weight of the passenger causes the step to make a final movement of a very short distance so that the set screw 7 21 contacts with the lever 12 and causes it to raise a slight distance. As a result, the rod 11 contacts with the push button 8 and maintains the switch. in casing 7 closed so that the doors aremaintained opened so long as anyone remains on the step. The rod 11 contacts with the push button 8 even though the treadle ,is returned to raised position.

When the step is cleared the adjustable engaging lever 20 drops away permitting theoperating lever to drop down againstthe stop 23, causing the switch in casing 7 to open so that thedoors are automaticaly closed.

It .is apparent from the foregoing dis closure that I have devised a simple device What I seek to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a vehicle having doors thereon, the combination comprising a treadle plate pivotally mounted in the platform of the vehicle adjacent the doors, a switch completely mounted on the treadle, means for closing the switch when the treadle is depressed, a folding step mounted on. the vehicle, and means operated by the step when a passenger is standing thereon for maintaining the switch closed when no passengeris standing on the treadle, said switch being completely supported by the treadle.

2. In a vehicle having doors and a folding step mounted thereon, the combination comprising a pivoted treadle plate mounted in the platform of the vehicle adjacent the doors, a single switch completely mounted on the treadle plate, means adjacent the switch for closing itwhen the treadle is depressed, and mechanism connected with the folding step for closing the switch when a passenger is standing on the folding step.

3. In a vehicle having doors therein, the combination comprising a depressible treadle in the platform of the vehicle adjacent the doors, a switchmounted on the underside of the treadle, a stop member supported under the treadle and adapted to engage and close said switch when the treadle is depressed, a folding step, a vertically movable rod slidably engaging said stop member, and means on said step to engage said ro-d when fully extended and move it upwardly to close said switch when the treadle is in raised position.

4. In a vehicle having doors and a folding step thereon, the combination comprising a pivoted movable treadle plate mounted adj acent the doors and forming a part of ,theplat-t form of the vehicle, a push button switch completely mounted on the underside of the treadle plate, flanged means 'adj'acentthe switch button adapted to close said switch upon the descent of said treadle plate, a folding step mounted on the vehicle, and a guided push rod adapted to extension through said flange means and to operation by the step when a passenger is standing thereon to maintain the switch closed when no passenger is standing on the treadle.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand on this 4th day of May A. 1)., 1928.

' ROSGOE D. CONKLIN.

for carrying out the objects of this invention 7 involving certain principles which may be readily embodied in other forms by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the invention. I do not, therefore, desire to be limited to the exact disclosure given for purposes of illustration but rather to the scope of the invention as definedin the appended 7 claims. 

